GB10 Sports was proud to host the launch of the London FA’s new ‘Play Fair. Play Equal.’ kitemark scheme – an initiative designed to help women and girls easily identify football clubs and venues that meet essential standards for safety, facilities and fair access.
The launch marked an important step forward in improving the experience of women and girls participating in football across the capital, with GB10 Sports Ground at AFC Greenwich Borough recognised as one of the first flagship facilities to achieve ‘London FA Approved’ status.
Raising standards for women and girls
The Play Fair. Play Equal. scheme has been developed around the experiences and expectations of women and girls themselves.
Through a London FA survey, female players identified a number of facilities and standards that they consider essential when taking part in football. Clubs and venues seeking accreditation must demonstrate that they meet these requirements.
The standards include:
- Providing female-specific toilet facilities
- Offering free sanitary products
- Ensuring facilities are well lit, particularly during the winter months
- Guaranteeing fair access to peak-time training slots for women and girls
The scheme aims to make it easier for players, parents and communities to identify venues that are committed to providing a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for women and girls.
The need for change
The launch comes as research into the experiences of females playing football highlights the gap between the continued growth of the women’s and girls’ game and the facilities available to support it.
The launch comes as research into the experiences of females playing football highlights the gap between the continued growth of the women’s and girls’ game and the facilities available to support it.
Just 51% of women surveyed said they can always access toilets at football facilities, while 77% reported that they rarely or never have access to sanitary products.
More than half (55%) said they do not always or often have access to changing facilities.
Perhaps most significantly, 80% of women and girls surveyed agreed that female toilets and access to sanitary products are among the most important facilities that need to be available to them at clubs.
These findings demonstrate why initiatives such as Play Fair. Play Equal. are so important in helping clubs and venues understand and respond to the needs of female players.
GB10 Sports recognised as a flagship facility
As a venue committed to serving its local community, GB10 Sports was delighted to host the launch and be recognised alongside the first group of venues to achieve London FA Approved status.
Brett Smith, Director at AFC Greenwich Borough and GB10 Sports, said:
“We’re delighted to be recognised as one of the flagship facilities of the London FA’s ‘Play Fair. Play Equal.’ kitemark scheme. We pride ourselves on being active and involved with our community and that means making sure our site and our pitches are safe, accessible and available to women and girls across the area.
“Whether it’s our community events, training sessions or tournaments, we want to make sure that everybody feels welcomed, included and supported. Looking ahead, we’re committed to continuing our work, offering our incredible facilities to everybody in the borough and beyond.”
For GB10 Sports, the recognition reflects the importance of creating a facility where football can be enjoyed by everyone, from grassroots teams and community groups to players taking part in organised competitions and events.
Supporting the continued growth of the women’s and girls’ game
The launch comes at an exciting time for women’s and girls’ football in London.
According to the London FA, participation in the women’s and girls’ game has grown by 208% since 2020. With more women and girls getting involved in football, ensuring facilities evolve alongside participation is increasingly important.
London FA Chair Julia Cove-Smith said:
“Too many women and girls are still being let down by the most basic standard of football facilities across the capital. More than 50 years after The FA lifted its ban on women’s football, the women’s and girls’ game in London is thriving, with participation growing by 208% since 2020. Yet too many grassroots facilities across the county and in London still struggle to meet the basic needs of female players. The facilities simply haven’t kept pace with the growth of the game, and that has to change.”
At GB10 Sports, we are proud to play our part in that change and to continue working towards a future where women and girls can participate in football in facilities that are safe, accessible, welcoming and fit for purpose.
First seven London FA Approved clubs and venues
As part of the launch of Play Fair. Play Equal., the first seven clubs and venues to achieve London FA Approved status will receive a commemorative plaque, recognising their commitment to raising standards for female players.
The first accredited clubs and venues are:
- AFC Greenwich Borough at GB10 Sports Ground
- Chislehurst Glebe FC
- Crayford Arrows Football Club
- Goals Beckenham
- Goals Eltham
- Market Road Football Pitches
- Regents Park
GB10 Sports is proud to be part of this inaugural group and to support the London FA in its ambition to make football a more accessible and inclusive game for women and girls across the capital.
We believe that football should be a game for everyone and look forward to continuing to welcome women and girls to our facilities, supporting local clubs and communities, and working with partners such as the London FA to help raise standards across grassroots football.
Play Fair. Play Equal.
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